Abstract: A laser beam having homogeneous intensity distribution is delivered without causing interference stripes of a laser to appear on an irradiation surface. A laser beam emitted from a laser oscillator passes through a diffractive optical element so that the intensity distribution thereof is homogenized. The beam emitted from the diffractive optical element then passes through a slit so that low-intensity end portions in a major-axis direction of the beam are blocked. Subsequently, the beam passes through a projecting lens and a condensing lens, so that an image of the slit is projected onto the irradiation surface. The projecting lens is provided so that the slit and the irradiation surface are conjugated. Thus, the irradiation surface can be irradiated with the laser having homogeneous intensity while preventing the diffraction by the slit.

Abstract: A portable device which generates heat and which can be used alternatively as a corded, plug-in device or as a cordless, fuel-powered device. The device has dual heating capabilities—each of which is powered by a unique cartridge. For use as a plug-in device an electric cartridge that connects the device to an adapter is utilized, whereas for use as a portable device a fuel cartridge is utilized for supplying a hydrocarbon fuel to support combustion. Use of one of the cartridges prevents the use of the other.

Abstract: Systems and methods source a heating resistor to control temperature. For example, a sensor block assembly (SBA) heater controls the temperature of a MEMS device in a sensor block assembly. An exemplary embodiment generates a root mean square (RMS) pulse width modulation (PWM) control signal based upon an input voltage from a power source, controls a switch in accordance with the RMS PWM control signal; and sources a heater resistor from the power source in accordance with the controlling of the switch. Power to the heating resistor is controlled by the switch to provide a substantially constant value of power to the heating resistor for varying values of the input voltage.

Abstract: A replacement anode assembly for a hot water heater or storage tank includes an anode body formed from an anode material, a magnet mechanically coupled to a first end of the anode body, and a grounding wire electrically coupled to the anode body.

Abstract: A heater system and related methods of heating a surface are provided by the present disclosure that includes, in one form, a substrate defining a heating surface and a layered heater formed on the heating surface. A plurality of nodes are disposed along the heating surface and are in electrical contact with a resistive heating layer of the layered heater, along with a plurality of lead wires connected to the plurality of nodes. In one form, a multiplexer is in communication with the plurality of nodes through the plurality of lead wires, and a controller is in communication with the multiplexer, wherein the multiplexer sequences and transmits resistances from the plurality of nodes to the controller, and the controller controls an amount of power provided to each of the plurality of nodes based on the differences in resistances between the nodes.

Abstract: A wafer thermometer includes a wafer, a plurality of temperature sensors, a converter, a wafer data transmitter, and a photoelectric conversion element. The wafer has an upper surface divided to a plurality of regions. The plurality of temperature sensors are arranged at the plurality of regions, respectively. The converter is provided on the wafer and configured to convert signals output from the plurality of temperature sensors to temperature data. The wafer data transmitter is provided on the wafer and configured to transmit the temperature data converted by the converter. The photoelectric conversion element is provided on the wafer and configured to supply a current to the converter and the wafer data transmitter in response to light with which the photoelectric conversion element is irradiated.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for processing substrates and measuring the temperature using radiation pyrometry are disclosed. A reflective layer is provided on a window of a processing chamber. A radiation source providing radiation in a first range of wavelengths heats the substrate, the substrate being transparent to radiation in a second range of wavelengths within the first range of wavelengths for a predetermined temperature range. Radiation within the second range of wavelength is reflected by the reflective layer.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming a bag assembly includes opposing die members. Each opposing die member defines a single die and has a perimeter-welding portion for forming a perimeter-weld of the bag assembly and a tube-welding portion for forming a tube-weld of the bag assembly. During operation, the perimeter-welding and tube-welding portions weld the bag assembly simultaneously, then the perimeter-welding portion of one of the opposing die members is moved relative to the tube welding portion of the die member to increase the distance between the perimeter-welding portions of the opposing die members. When the perimeter-welding portions are moved apart, welding by the perimeter-welding portions is generally suspended while welding by the tube-welding portions may continue.

Abstract: A neck for a welding torch includes a rigid, non-tubular, elongated member having opposite first and second ends. The first end is connectable to a rear portion of the welding torch. The second end is connectable to a welding tip portion of the welding torch. The member locates and holds the welding tip portion in a precisely given location, and does not communicate welding power, welding wire, shielding gas, or cooling water between the first and second ends.

Abstract: A tank for a water-heating appliance including a body, a first head, and a second head. The body includes a first end, a second end, and a longitudinal axis. The body extends along the longitudinal axis from the first end to the second end. The first head includes multiple landings. The first head is coupled to the first end so that the first head is convex and extends away from the body. The longitudinally outermost points of the landings define a first plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. The second head includes multiple landings. The second head is identical to the first head except for at least one opening through a landing. The second head is coupled to the second end so that the second head is convex and extends away from the body. The longitudinally outermost points of the landings define a second plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: Certain embodiments provide a heater. The heater includes a ferromagnetic member. The heater also includes an electrical conductor electrically coupled to the ferromagnetic member. The electrical conductor is configured to conduct a majority of time-varying electrical current passing through the heater at about 25° C. The heater is configured to provide a first heat output below the Curie temperature of the ferromagnetic member. The heater is configured to automatically provide a second heat output approximately at and above the Curie temperature of the ferromagnetic member. The second heat output is reduced compared to the first heat output.

Abstract: A glass-ceramic plate, and production methods and apparatuses in relation to the plate. The plate is designed for example to equip a cooktop, and includes, on at least one of its faces, a differentiated surface finish formed in the body of the bare glass-ceramic plate.

Abstract: An ablative plasma gun includes a first portion having a first diameter and a second portion having a second diameter that is larger than the first diameter, wherein a chamber is defined by the first portion and the second portion.

Abstract: A dual-person electric heating blanket having a receiving bag and a remote controller, the receiving bag has therein a first and a juxtaposed second heating wire which are connected with a controller box; the remote controller includes a circuit board being electrically connected, a pattern interface, a switchable switch and a signal emitting end; the pattern interface has thereat a first and a second position juxtaposed with each other, the first position has thereat a first pattern, and the second position has thereat a second pattern, the first and second patterns are respectively connected with a first and a second circuit on the circuit board; thereby, when a user faces to a front or a rear end of the receiving bag, by switching between the first and second circuits with the switchable switch, the first pattern corresponds to the first heating wire and the second pattern corresponds to the second heating wire, and by emitting control signal from the signal emitting end, heating temperatures of the two se

Abstract: A method for constructing a three-dimensional laminated shape includes selecting a first lamination strip from a plurality of lamination strips with different widths assembled on a spool. The first lamination strip is stacked on a stacking device and is cut at a first lamination length. A second lamination strip is selected from the spool. The second lamination strip is stacked and cut at a second lamination length different than the first lamination length. The process is repeated to construct a three-dimensional laminated shape of an electrodynamic device. In another embodiment, a computer readable storage medium includes executable instructions to collect design information characterizing a three-dimensional laminated shape and compute lamination parameters based on the design information.

Abstract: A panel for electric heating, with an outer hermetic aluminum shell, an inner shell with a rectangular base and a cover, inside which is an ohmic resistance in the shape of a planar serpentine, formed of a series of U-bends and having two pseudo-circular endings that extend to the inside of a hermetic contact module integrated with the outer shell, wherein the serpentine is made of a rigid bar having a rectangular section, wherein the base of the inner shell incorporates a thick layer of oxide that favors infrared irradiation, and wherein an internal thermal insulator hinders the flow of heat towards the cover.

Abstract: The present invention is a cooling block that forms an electrode for generating a plasma for use in a plasma process, and includes a channel for a cooling liquid, the cooling block comprising: a first base material and a second base material respectively made of aluminum, at least one of the first and second base materials having a recess for forming a channel for a cooling liquid; and a diffusion bonding layer, in which zinc is diffused in aluminum, and an anti-corrosion layer of a zinc oxide film, the layers being formed by interposing zinc between the first and second base materials, and by bonding the first and second base materials with zinc interposed therebetween in a heating atmosphere containing oxygen.

Abstract: An electrically heatable honeycomb body is formed with at least one wound stack of sheet-metal foils. A first end of the stack is connected to an electrical terminal and a second end is connected to an electrical ground. The stack has a plurality of sheet-metal foils which are in electrical contact with one another and which are at least partially structured and determine, in the direction of the structures, a height of the stack. The stack has at least one curvature with a small radius of curvature and a relatively large radius of curvature. A curvature section including the at least one curvature has at least one zone with increased electrical resistance starting from the small radius of curvature and extending over part of the height of the stack. A motor vehicle having at least one honeycomb body, is also provided.

Abstract: A cooking appliance is provided which includes a lower heating assembly and an upper heating assembly. The lower heating assembly includes a lower cooking surface, and the upper heating assembly includes an upper cooking surface. The upper cooking surface is translatable relative to the lower cooking surface in at least a substantially vertical manner, wherein the upper cooking surface and lower cooking surface remain substantially parallel to one another when the upper cooking surface translates relative to the lower cooking surface.

Abstract: A warmer bag includes a casing, a warmer bag, a heating arrangement including a heating element for heating up a fluid contained in the warmer bag at an usable temperature, and a safety arrangement electrically coupling with the heating arrangement, wherein when the heat exchanging fluid is heated above the usable temperature, the safety arrangement automatically cuts off an electrical connection between the heating element and the external power source for preventing the fluid from being overheated.